How to Cook Kelp for Dogs (Complete Guide)

Kelp is an excellent vegetable for dogs to eat. It’s rich in vitamins, minerals and nutrients that come from the sea. This means there are things in kelp that are much more difficult to obtain through foods found, grown and raised on land. The following three recipes provide some innovative ways to incorporate kelp into your dog’s diet.

Adding Kelp to DIY Dog Food

Kelp is a type of seaweed that can bring tons of fabulous health benefits to your dog. It can improve dental health, overall physical health and longevity. It contains iodine, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, sodium, potassium and zinc. It’s low in calories and packed with a bunch of antioxidants.

However, it’s doubtful that your dog will actually like eating this kind of sea vegetable raw or even cooked. You can try and see if the pooch will eat kelp that way. But, it’s better to put it in DIY dog food recipes as the dried powder. This way you can measure and control the amount of Kelp the dog receives.

This is because seaweed’s flavor tends to be very pungent for most dogs. Never give more than 1½ teaspoons to your canine.

Green Banana Treats

This is a quick, delicious and nutritious sweet treat you can give to your dog. They’re fast, simple and isn’t time consuming at all.

Items You’ll Need

• Mixing Bowl
• Fork
• Measuring Spoons
• Silicone Molds
• Large Spoon

Ingredients

• 2 Bananas, ripened
• 1½ tsp Kelp Powder

Instructions

1. Peel the ripe Bananas and mash them with the fork in a mixing bowl.
2. Add the Kelp Powder and mix well with the spoon.
3. Fill the silicone mold and put it into the freezer for six to eight hours.
4. Remove from the freezer and wrap each individually. Return to the freezer.
5. Allow it to thaw a little bit before giving it to your dog.

Canine Chicken Casserole

This is good to make for your precious pup during the cold winter months. It’s high in vitamins and promotes a healthy digestive tract.

Items You’ll Need

• Stockpot
• Cutting Board
• Small Saucepan
• Fork
• Mixing Bowl
• Large Spoon
• Mesh Strainer
• Knife
• Measuring Cups & Spoons

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Chicken, cut up
• Water (enough to cover the chicken)
• 2 Cups Quinoa
• 4 oz Celery, chopped
• 4 oz Carrots, chopped
• 2 Tbsp Canola oil
• 2 Tbsp Parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp Bone Meal Powder
• 1 tsp Flaxseed Oil
• 1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
• 1 Bay Leaf
• 1 pinch Kelp Powder

Instructions

1. Chop the Celery, Carrots and Parsley on the cutting board with a knife. Don’t cut the chicken yet.
2. Place chicken into a large stockpot and pour water over the Chicken until it’s well-covered; bring to a boil.
3. Then add the veggies and Bay Leaf and return the pot to a boil; lower the temperature and simmer for 2½ hours or until the Chicken is tender.
4. Remove the Chicken and place it into a separate pan. Keep the broth off to the side.
5. With a fine mesh strainer, hold the Quinoa under cold running water until it runs clear; be sure to drain out the water well.
6. Take 3 cups of the broth into a small saucepan and add the Quinoa and Canola Oil. Bring to a boil.
7. Add the Apple Cider Vinegar and Flaxseed Oil, stirring sparingly. Simmer for 13 or 14 minutes or until the Quinoa is tender.
8. Remove the Quinoa from heat and set it off to the side to cool for 5 minutes; fluff it with a fork.
9. Take the Chicken and shred or cut it into bite-sized pieces.
10. In a mixing bowl, add the chicken, quinoa mixture, kelp powder and bone powder; mix well with a spoon.
11. Add the remaining broth and stir well, ensuring everything blends together thoroughly.
12. Let this sit for 5 to 10 minutes and serve to your dog.
13. Freeze the rest once it’s cool.

The Smorgasbord

For the ultimate in giving your dog the best that food has to offer, try this recipe on for size. It’s a lot and expensive to make. But, if you have more than one dog, this may actually save you some money. Regardless, dogs will love the ingredients; it will almost be a flavor party in their mouths.

Items You’ll Need

• Grater or Food Processor
• Knife & Cutting Board
• Medium to Large Saucepan
• Small Saucepan
• Large Mixing Bowl
• Strainer
• Large Spoon
• Potato Peeler
• 2 Bread Loaf Pans
• Freezer Bags or Other Container

Ingredients

• 2 lbs Ground Beef
• 1 lb Ground Chicken
• 1 lb Chicken Liver, fresh
• 8-10 oz. Spinach, raw
• 2 Carrots, large
• 1 Sweet Potato, medium
• 1 Zucchini, medium
• 1 Apple, cored
• ½ Cup Blueberries
• 2 Eggs, lightly beaten
• 2/3 Cup Gluten Free Oats
• 4 tsp Kelp Powder
• 4 tsp Ground Eggshell
• 1-2 tsp Turmeric, dried and ground (optional)
• 1-2 tsp Ginger, dried and ground (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring Water to a boil in the large or medium sauce pan and cook the chicken livers for about seven to 10 minutes. Strain and set the Chicken Livers off to the side to cool.
2. In the small saucepan, cook the Gluten Free Oats according to package instructions and without using any salt. Set off to the side and allow it to cool completely.
3. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
4. In the large mixing bowl, blend together the Ground Beef, Ground Chicken, Salt, Ginger, Turmeric, Eggshells, Kelp and Blueberries.
5. Cut the Chicken Livers into bits and then stir it into the mixture.
6. Use a peeler to remove the skin from the Sweet Potatoes and Zucchini.
7. Wash, dry and shred (chop or process) the Spinach, Carrots and Apple along with the Sweet Potatoes and Zucchini.
8. Mix the veggies in with the meaty mixture.
9. Add cooked Gluten Free Oats and Eggs. Mix the entire thing well so everything is thoroughly incorporated.
10. Place in a bread pan lined with parchment paper.
11. Bake in the oven for 2½ hours.
12. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes before slicing and then let it cool before putting in a freezer-safe container.